Gunmen Attack Kaduna Police Station, Kill Two Officers in Zonkwa Raid

Panic and grief gripped residents of Zonkwa town in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State after gunmen launched a deadly assault on a local police station, killing at least two officers on duty.

The attack, which occurred late Friday evening, has sparked renewed fears over the deteriorating security situation in Southern Kaduna and across the state. According to eyewitnesses, the assailants stormed the Zonkwa Divisional Police Headquarters around Kurmin-Bi, near Kamyim Hotel, and immediately opened fire on the building.

“They came shooting sporadically as soon as they arrived,” a witness told Daily Trust. “It was clear they wanted to break into the station and free some suspects they thought were detained there.”

Reports indicate the attackers were attempting to rescue suspected vandals previously arrested in Kachia town. However, security sources later confirmed that the suspects were not being held at the Zonkwa station. By the time the gunmen realized this, two police officers had already been fatally shot, and the attackers fled into the night.

A short video clip obtained by reporters showed two uniformed officers lying motionless on the station floor, while a crowd of shocked residents gathered outside, discussing the incident in hushed tones.

The Kaduna State Police Command has not yet issued an official statement as of the time of this report, but sources within the security service confirmed the incident and said investigations are ongoing.

Community members expressed outrage and sadness over the killings, describing them as yet another reminder of the region’s deepening insecurity. Zonkwa and surrounding communities have suffered repeated attacks over the past few years, ranging from bandit raids to communal clashes, leading to growing anxiety among residents.

Security analysts say the latest assault underscores the brazenness of armed groups in northern Nigeria, who increasingly target police stations and military posts to steal weapons or free detained members. The attack also raises concerns about intelligence failures and the overstretched capacity of security agencies in volatile regions.

As calm gradually returned to Zonkwa on Saturday morning, patrol teams were seen moving around the area to reassure residents and prevent reprisal violence. “Normalcy has been restored, but people are still terrified,” a local resident said. “We heard gunshots for several minutes before silence returned. Everyone ran for safety.”

The attack has once again highlighted the vulnerability of police formations in rural parts of Kaduna, where officers often operate with limited manpower and resources. Locals are now calling on the state and federal governments to reinforce the security architecture in Southern Kaduna and to ensure that the perpetrators of the Zonkwa killings are brought to justice.

“This cannot continue,” said one resident. “If criminals can storm a police station and kill officers without consequences, then nobody is safe.”

As the nation grapples with increasing insecurity — from kidnapping and terrorism to armed robbery — many Nigerians are demanding a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s policing and intelligence systems.